(CKOM News staff)

By CKOM News

NDP calls for emergency debate on planned changes to public health measures

Feb 4, 2022 | 4:56 PM

The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for the legislature to be recalled for emergency debate on the planned loosening of public health measures in the province.

On Thursday, the province announced a plan for Saskatchewan to begin moving towards a new normal that would see residents living with COVID-19.

Some initial changes planned include further restrictions to who is eligible for PCR testing, increased self-monitoring for COVID symptoms, self-isolation upon positive test results and the end to daily COVID information reporting.

NDP Leader Ryan Meili and Deputy Opposition Leader Nicole Sarauer said now is not the time to see public health measures pulled back in Saskatchewan, as hospitals in the province continue to grapple with high caseloads due to the Omicron wave.

“Scott Moe is choosing to put his politics ahead of what should be job one for any premier — protecting the health and safety of the people he represents,” Sarauer said in a news release Friday.

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Sarauer said misinformation being spread about the risk and efficacy of vaccines is not just irresponsible but “downright dangerous.”

“Scott Moe’s choices to spread misinformation about vaccines, to water down health measures that keep vulnerable people safe and lift restrictions amid record hospitalizations and before our Omicron peak are dangerous and potentially deadly mistakes,” Meili added.

Data shared by the NDP stated the fifth wave in the province has not yet peaked for hospitalization rates, pointing to a 386 per cent increase since Jan. 1.

An increase in child hospitalizations and low pediatric vaccine uptake along with a booster dose uptake lagging behind the national average are among the other concerns listed by the NDP.

“Real leadership is doing the right thing, even when it isn’t easy. Scott Moe has put his politics ahead of what’s best for Saskatchewan people and he needs to be held accountable,” Meili said.

“He needs to make the case to Saskatchewan people why he should keep his job.”